On the tee: Could Masters provide Tiger vs. Phil showdown?

April 07, 2009

Kevin Frisch is owner of Fusion Media Strategies, a consulting firm in the golf and travel industry. He writes a monthly column for the Herald Times.

Every year the Masters Tournament is that annual kickoff to spring and the golf season across the country. Sure, we have been treated to great golf on television since January, but in reality and to Tiger Woods, all of these tournaments leading up the Masters have been preseason games, with Thursday, April 9 being opening day.

I believe this year could be the best Masters in several years and one of the best ever. The two top players in the world are on a collision course and there are a handful of young guns ready to step up and get noticed.

Patrons have long awaited an Ali-Frazier type showdown with Tiger Woods in one corner and Phil Mickelson in the other. The golfing community deserves to get at least one great showdown with them during their career and Augusta National is the perfect stadium for it.

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When Tiger Woods recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitation once again in dramatic fashion, everyone said “Tiger’s back”. Well, I say he never left. When Tiger started hitting balls in January, his one mission and focus was to win at Augusta. He has never gone more than three seasons without winning a Green Jacket since he won his first in 1997. His knee is obviously stronger then ever, he is hitting more fairways, and his putting is now coming around. He had to painfully watch two career journeymen beat him when he had his B-game the past two seasons, but now he has his A-game and look out. It would not surprise me at all to see him run away with one similar to what he did in 1997.

In the other corner, you have the No. 2 player in the world, Phil Mickelson, who has already one twice this year, and appears to be at the top of his game. He has won two Masters since 2004 — one more than Tiger. He also seems to have his driving accuracy improved and his irons are always on target. The only question will be his putting, which has been suspect during his entire career.

This year’s tournament is finally setting up to be the showdown everyone has been craving for years. If we could get these two top heavyweights in the final group on Sunday separated from the field in a back-and-forth duel, it could be the highest rated Masters ever.

OK, now that we have the Tiger-Phil showdown set up, I do believe this Masters will be remembered for some of the young players in the field.

I believe this Masters will unveil the next generation of superstars that will most likely win at Augusta in the future, and do not be surprised if they are in contention this year.

Leading the way is 19-year old Irishman Rory Mcllroy, who has already won on the European Tour, and has had great showings on the PGA Tour. He reminds me of a young Nick Faldo, but better. Look for him to be the next great player to come out of Europe.

On the American side, Anthony Kim leads the way along with other top young guns such as Sean O’Hair, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, and Boo Weekly. They all have games suitable to Augusta National. Other young players that could break through and win include Justin Rose, Aaron Baddeley, Adam Scott, Paul Casey, and Camilo Villegas.

So get your popcorn ready, find your favorite chair or couch, and get ready to watch one of the greatest Masters ever this year!